• HELP your credit score out by continuing to pay your bills on time.  Keep your credit cards below their maximum and pay down your debt.  Try not to open any new credit accounts.

• GO to www.AnnualCreditReport.com for an easy way to access your credit report.  All consumers are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three credit-reporting agencies.  This will not provide your credit score, but it will allow you to see what prospective lenders will see and correct any errors.

• START EARLY securing financing.  Contact your bank, credit union, or other local lending institutions about pre-qualifying. Call around for rates and fees.  This will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of a mortgage and what you can afford.

• BEGIN GATHERING documents.  Lenders will typically ask for bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns and other documents that relate to your finances.  Begin to place these in an accessible folder so you will be ready to go when these items are asked for.

• CHECK OUT these websites for government assistance programs www.tdhca.state.tx.us and www.MyFirstTexasHome.com

• CONTACT ME to help you decipher what you are looking for in a home and to mail you my FREE home buyers packet  karen@karensherrill-homes.com

(adapted from Texas Realtor Magazine 03/09)